Academics

First Grade

The transition to first grade is an exciting one for students — a move to the elementary school campus, a full day from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., the children's first ACS musical theater production and first grade traditions including Native American Day.

Our first grade homeroom teachers provide instruction in Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies.

Homeroom

Language Arts

• Phonemic awareness
• Reading with fluency and comprehension
• Spelling and writing skills
• Proofreading, self-correction and collaborative revision
• Listening skills, language extension, punctuation

Math

• Number system based on 10, place value of ones and 10
• Read, write and compare numbers to 100
• Addition and subtraction
• Relationship signs
• Intuitive multiplication and division
• Applications, estimation and thinking skills
• Geometric shapes
• Units of measurement, time and money

Social Studies

• Thematic units based on the environment
• Study of community and cultural events
• Sharing traditions and diversity

Enrichments

Drama

Students learn the fundamentals of performance during 8 weeks of rehearsing a full-length musical theater performance. Each student gains self-confidence by actively performing on the stage. The students' efforts culminate in a final production with two live performances for students and parents.
• Learn memorization, characterization
• Develop acting and performance skills including music and singing, timing and choreography
• Learn costuming, set design, stage balance and stage directions
Drama teacher, 8 week unit

Music

Music at ACS incorporates tonal instruments, dance, and voice in the Orff Program.
• Basic music theory as a foundation for reading music
• Integrate movement and dance while developing their voices and discovering the joy of singing
• Learn the songs of our country and other cultures
• Experience the beauty of great works of music and learn about the composers who wrote them
Music teacher, 1 class per week

Art

Students explore their unique creative abilities while they experience and develop artistic skills using a variety of media and subjects; student artwork is displayed in ASSETS, our school-wide talent show, and in a variety of local art exhibitions.

Art teacher, 2 classes per week

Science

• Trees and habitats
• Garden cycles, honey bees, ants, frogs
• Liquid exploration
• Simple machines
• Earth’s place in the solar system, including a visit to the Star Lab
• Start exploring ideas methodically, looking for reasons behind observations and learning to form a hypothesis
Science teacher, 2 classes per week

Technology

Students visit our fully-equipped computer lab to learn about technology and apply skills. First grade students also use Promethean ActivBoards on a daily basis in their classrooms.
Technology teacher, with lab visits as scheduled

Library

First grade students visit the library once a week. Our full-time librarian reads stories to the class, and students are encouraged to check out books to bring home.
Librarian, 1 class per week

Physical Education

Regular weekly P.E. instruction builds fitness, coordination and skill progression, while increasing students' readiness to learn in all subjects.
P.E. teacher, 3 classes per week
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And that's not all …

In addition to its developmentally based instructional program and a wide selection of enrichment activities, ACS features special co-curricular activities that supplement instruction at every grade level:

ASSETS

Our All School Student Exhibition and Talent Showcase (ASSETS) has been a popular ACS tradition for more than a decade. This three-day event is a lively celebration of student success and skills in a wide variety of activities. Each May, ASSETS exhibits and performances highlight school artwork, enrichment projects and unique performing talents of individual students and groups across the grade levels.

Big Buddies

Each first grade student is paired with a Big Buddy from the Upper Elementary and Middle School grades. Throughout the year, the Big Buddies meet to work, play and learn together in a variety of activities. The beloved Big Buddy Program is a highlight of the ACS experience for younger and older children alike.

Field Trips

First grade students generally take at least one annual offsite field trip. In recent years, they have spent a day exploring the Tech Museum of Innovation in downtown San Jose.

Native American Day

In conjunction with their social studies explorations, first grade students prepare for their annual Native American Day each fall, when they dress in Native American costumes and participate in simulated heritage activities to bring their classroom lessons to life.